Nature's way: Foods to help you stay youthful and healthy

Photos.com, canada.com02.06.2012

Surprise! Cinnamon is a source of fibre, iron and calcium, and helps to reduce uric acid, which triggers gout and arthritis flare-ups. It combats high blood pressure and reduces cholesterol in people with Type 2 diabetes.

Photos.com
/ canada.com

These berries contain vitamin C, folic acid, fibre, carotenoids and anthocyanins (an antioxidant that helps neutralize cell-damaging molecules that can help lead to chronic diseases, including cancer and heart disease).Handout
/ National Post

Want to have skin as soft as a baby's bum? Eat avocados regularly. They may taste decadently oily, but they're rich in mono-unsaturated and unsaturated fatty acids. They contain more protein, potassium, magnesium, folic acid, B vitamins, vitamin E and vitamin K than any other fruit.Photos.com
/ canada.com

Tomatoes are high on the superfoods list because they contain an abundance of vitamins A and C, potassium, phytochemicals and lycopene, an antioxidant that may help may protect against certain cancers.Peter Battistoni
/ PNG

Besides being a good source of vitamins and minerals such as calcium and vitamin D, low-fat yogurt with live cultures provides the healthy bacteria your digestive tract needs to function optimally. Look for the live-culture symbol on the yogurt carton.Handout
/ PNG

Salmon is one of the best food sources of omega-3 fatty acids, which can help protect your heart. The power of omega-3s appears to be their ability to lower blood fats and prevent blood clots associated with heart disease.Stuart Davis
/ Vancouver Sun

Vegetables are important sources of many nutrients essential for maintaining a healthy body, including potassium, dietary fibre, folic acid, vitamin A, vitamin E, and vitamin C. Different kinds of vegetables contain different nutrients, so it‚Äôs important to eat a wide selection.Deddeda Stemler/Handout
/ PNG

Nuts are full of fats. But they’re the healthy, mono- and poly-unsaturated kind, which can help lower cholesterol levels and help prevent heart disease. In addition, nuts are a good source of protein, fibre, selenium, vitamin E, and vitamin A.Handout
/ National Post File Photo

Eating beans and legumes regularly (chickpeas, kidney beans and black beans are good options) can help reduce the risk of certain cancers, lower blood cholesterol and triglyceride levels, and stabilize blood sugar. They are also packed with phytochemicals, low/non-fat high-quality protein, folic acid, fibre, iron, magnesium, and small amounts of calcium.Photos.com
/ canada.com

Look for whole-grain cereals that offer at least seven grams of fibre and eight or more grams of protein. Whole grains contain fibre, folic acid, selenium and additional B vitamins and disease-fighting compounds such as lignins. They are important for heart health, weight control, and reducing the risk of diabetes.Handout
/ Vancouver Sun

Egg protein is one of the most complete food proteins, which means it contains all the crucial amino acids. Eggs also contain choline, a brain nutrient that aids memory, and leutin, a pigment needed for healthy eyes.Photos.com
/ canada.com

A single, 100-calorie sweet potato supplies the recommended daily intake of vitamin A in the form of beta-carotene, a powerful antioxidant. Sweet potatoes are also a good source of vitamin C, potassium, iron, and the two trace minerals manganese and copper. The fibre in sweet potatoes promotes a healthy digestive tract, and the antioxidants play a role in preventing heart disease and cancer.Handout
/ Vancouver Sun

Oranges are packed with vitamin C, which helps with the absorption of iron and folate and helps boost your immune system. The antioxidant powers in oranges come from the compound hesperidin, which has been shown to help lower cholesterol levels and high blood pressure.Photos.com
/ Canwest News Service

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